ATMEGA168V-10MQ - 8-bit AVR MCU 16KB Flash 1.8V | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA168V-10MQ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.14 | $1.14 |
| 10 | $1.05 | $10.50 |
| 100 | $0.95 | $95.00 |
| 500 | $0.86 | $430.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.78 | $780.00 |
ATMEGA168V-10MQ Overview
An 8-bit AVR microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture embedded processor that executes most instructions in a single clock cycle, combining program flash, data SRAM, and EEPROM on a single die. Within the power-management hierarchy, the ATmega family sits in the mid-range microcontroller IC segment (MCU -> embedded processor -> integrated circuit), widely used as the successor to the ATmega8 and the predecessor of the ATmega328P used in the Arduino Uno.
Key features of the V (low-voltage) grade include guaranteed operation from 1.8V to 5.5V, which enables single-cell or two-cell battery operation without a boost converter. The extended temperature 'M' ordering option supports harsh environments, and the 'Q' suffix denotes the 32-pad QFN/MLF package in a green/RoHS-compliant build. On-chip peripherals include a 10-bit ADC, SPI and I2C (TWI) serial interfaces, UART, PWM timers, and an internal RC oscillator, reducing external component count.
Architecture highlights: the AVR core uses a two-stage pipeline with 32 general-purpose working registers directly connected to the ALU, delivering close to 1 MIPS per MHz of clock. In-system self-programmable (ISP) flash allows field firmware updates through the SPI pins using tools such as the MPLAB SNAP or AVR ISP mkII, and debugWIRE single-wire debugging is supported through the reset line.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, low-voltage IoT end nodes, portable instruments, motor control and consumer appliances, where the 1.8V rating and 5x5 mm footprint enable compact, energy-efficient designs.
Design consideration: the V-grade is speed-limited to 10MHz; for 16MHz designs at 4.5-5.5V choose the ATMEGA168-20MU instead. Provide a solid ground plane under the MLF exposed pad for reliable thermal and electrical performance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing (as of 2026-09-16), drop-in alternatives, pinout data, and practical design notes beyond what the manufacturer datasheet provides.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA168V-10MQ — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with ATMEGA168V-10MQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Flash Memory, RoHS Status, General Purpose I/O, EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA168V-10MI
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA168A-MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA168PV-10MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA168PA-MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA168PB-MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA168-20MQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.47 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA168V-10MQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | AVR |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Speed | 10 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 16KB (8K x 16) |
| EEPROM | 512B |
| SRAM | 1KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Minimum Supply Voltage | 1.8 V |
| Package | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm), QFN/MLF |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit |
| Serial Interfaces | SPI, I2C (TWI), UART |
| Timers/PWM | On-chip timers with PWM outputs |
| Programming | In-System Programmable (ISP) via SPI, debugWIRE |
| Internal Oscillator | Yes (calibrated RC oscillator) |
| Temperature Grade | Extended temperature (M suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Green per FindIC listing) |
ATMEGA168V-10MQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PD3 (PCINT19/OC2B/INT1) — Port D bit 3 / Timer2 output compare B / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 2 | PD4 (PCINT20/XCK/T0) — Port D bit 4 / USART external clock / Timer0 external clock |
| Pin 3 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 4 | VCC — Digital supply voltage (1.8V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 6 | VCC — Digital supply voltage (1.8V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 7 | PB7 (PCINT7/OC0A/OC1C/ADC7/XTAL2/TOSC2) — Port B bit 7 / crystal oscillator output / ADC channel 7 |
| Pin 8 | PB6 (PCINT6/OC1B/ADC6/XTAL1/TOSC1) — Port B bit 6 / crystal oscillator input / ADC channel 6 |
| Pin 9 | PD5 (PCINT21/OC0B/T1) — Port D bit 5 / Timer0 output compare B / Timer1 external clock |
| Pin 10 | PD6 (PCINT22/OC0A/AIN0) — Port D bit 6 / Timer0 output compare A / Analog comparator positive input |
| Pin 11 | PD7 (PCINT23/AIN1) — Port D bit 7 / Analog comparator negative input |
| Pin 12 | PB0 (PCINT8/CLKO/ICP1) — Port B bit 0 / system clock output / Timer1 input capture |
| Pin 13 | PB1 (PCINT9/OC1A) — Port B bit 1 / Timer1 output compare A (PWM) |
| Pin 14 | PB2 (PCINT10/OC1B/SS) — Port B bit 2 / Timer1 output compare B / SPI slave select |
| Pin 15 | PB3 (PCINT11/OC2A/MOSI) — Port B bit 3 / SPI master output / Timer2 output compare A |
| Pin 16 | PB4 (PCINT12/MISO) — Port B bit 4 / SPI master input |
| Pin 17 | PB5 (PCINT13/SCK) — Port B bit 5 / SPI serial clock |
| Pin 18 | AVCC — ADC supply voltage (connect to VCC through low-pass filter) |
| Pin 19 | AREF — ADC analog reference - decouple to GND |
| Pin 20 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 21 | PC0 (PCINT14/ADC0) — Port C bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 22 | PC1 (PCINT15/ADC1) — Port C bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 23 | PC2 (PCINT16/ADC2) — Port C bit 2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 24 | PC3 (PCINT17/ADC3) — Port C bit 3 / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 25 | PC4 (PCINT18/ADC4/SDA) — Port C bit 4 / ADC channel 4 / TWI data (I2C) |
| Pin 26 | PC5 (PCINT19/ADC5/SCL) — Port C bit 5 / ADC channel 5 / TWI clock (I2C) |
| Pin 27 | PC6 (PCINT20/RESET) — Reset input (active low) / debugWIRE / PCINT20 |
| Pin 28 | PD0 (PCINT24/RXD) — Port D bit 0 / USART receive data |
| Pin 29 | PD1 (PCINT25/TXD) — Port D bit 1 / USART transmit data |
| Pin 30 | PD2 (PCINT26/INT0) — Port D bit 2 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 31 | PD3 (PCINT19/OC2B/INT1) — Port D bit 3 (duplicated pad, same signal as pin 1) |
| Pin 32 | PD4 (PCINT20/XCK/T0) — Port D bit 4 (duplicated pad, same signal as pin 2) |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA168V-10MQ is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Low-Voltage IoT End Nodes, Portable and Handheld Instruments, Consumer Appliance Control, Low-Cost Embedded Learning and Prototyping, Industrial Sensor Transmitters.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The ATMEGA168V-10MQ's 1.8V-to-5.5V supply range lets it run directly from two AA cells or a low-voltage LDO output, while its 16KB flash and 1KB SRAM comfortably hold sensor-sampling and RF-protocol firmware. In a typical node, the MCU reads a sensor over I2C (TWI) or SPI, processes data with its 10-bit ADC, and transmits via a low-power radio module, sleeping between samples. Operating at 10MHz maximum keeps dynamic current low, and code can gate the clock to idle/power-save modes to stretch battery life. Because the AVR core executes most instructions in one cycle, real-time filtering or protocol handling needs no external logic, keeping the whole node on a 5x5 mm footprint PCB.
Recommended
Low-Voltage IoT End Nodes
For IoT endpoints powered by 1.8V rails from energy-harvesting or boost converters, the V-grade ATMEGA168V-10MQ is specified to operate reliably at 1.8V - unlike standard-grade ATmega168 parts that stop at 2.7V. The on-chip UART links directly to Wi-Fi/BLE/LoRa modules, while the hardware SPI and TWI interfaces connect flash, EEPROM, and sensors without bit-banging overhead. The calibrated internal RC oscillator removes the crystal, trimming BOM cost and sleep-mode quiescent draw in duty-cycled designs. The extended-temperature 'M' build suits outdoor enclosures. Designers should verify the voltage-versus-frequency derating curve and keep the clock at or below 10MHz at the minimum rail, since exceeding it at low VCC risks unreliable execution.
Recommended
Portable and Handheld Instruments
Handheld meters, loggers, and testers benefit from the ATMEGA168V-10MQ's combination of 10-bit ADC, 512B EEPROM for calibration constants, and 1.8V operation from two-cell batteries. The ADC samples analog front-ends (shunts, dividers, or sensor bridges), while the UART reports to a PC or display driver; timer PWM can drive backlight or buzzer outputs. The 32-pad VQFN 5x5 mm package keeps the main board compact, and the extended temperature grade tolerates glovebox or vehicle-cabin environments. Firmware updates are field-installable through the SPI ISP interface using a small header, so calibration tables in EEPROM can be rewritten in service. Watch ADC reference stability: use AVCC filtering and decouple AREF for low-noise conversions.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
Appliance and white-goods control boards - fans, pumps, small heaters, and user interfaces - map well onto the ATMEGA168V-10MQ's peripherals: hardware PWM from on-chip timers drives MOSFET gates or TRIAC logic directly, while GPIO reads buttons and rotary encoders with pin-change interrupts. The 16KB flash stores control state machines plus bootloader code for in-field updates, and 512B EEPROM retains user settings across power cycles. The robust AVR architecture and watchdog timer give predictable recovery from brown-outs when combined with the on-chip brown-out detector configuration. At 10MHz the processing budget suits non-time-critical control loops; for motor commutation requiring faster loops, consider the 20MHz ATMEGA168-20MQ sibling in the identical QFN footprint.
Recommended
Low-Cost Embedded Learning and Prototyping
The ATmega168 family is the direct ancestor of the Arduino Uno's ATmega328P, so the ATMEGA168V-10MQ fits Arduino-style prototyping with the classic bootloader, Arduino IDE toolchain, and vast code base. The 1.8V V-grade lets students and engineers experiment with low-voltage battery boards that the standard Uno cannot support, while the 32-pad QFN challenges learners to master hot-plate or reflow soldering of MLF packages. ISP programming via the SPI pins with an MPLAB SNAP or USBasp costs under $20, and debugWIRE gives single-wire source-level debugging. The 1KB SRAM constrains heavy library use - keep buffers small and avoid string-heavy sketches, or move to the pin-compatible ATMEGA328P-MU when code outgrows 16KB flash.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitters
In 2-wire loop-powered transmitters, the ATMEGA168V-10MQ's extended temperature grade and low supply floor allow direct operation from a 1.8V regulated tap derived from the 4-20mA loop, with the MCU digitizing the sensor (RTD, strain gauge, or pressure cell) through the 10-bit ADC and trimming loop current via PWM plus an op-amp V-to-I stage. The EEPROM stores span and zero calibration, and the UART supports HART-style digital overlays in enhanced designs. The 5x5 mm VQFN conserves board area inside sensor housings. Design caution: maintain total loop compliance voltage headroom, filter AVCC carefully for stable ADC readings, and verify that the 10MHz speed-versus-voltage derating is respected at the minimum loop-derived supply.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA168V-10MQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA168V-10MI | ATMEGA168A-MU | ATMEGA168PB-MU | ATMEGA168-20MQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm), QFN/MLF | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 16KB (8K x 16) | 16KB | 16KB | 16KB | 16KB |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| SRAM | 1KB | 1KB | 1KB | 1KB | 1KB |
| Low-Power Technology | Standard ATmega (V low-voltage grade) | Standard (V grade) | Standard | picoPower-class enhanced PB | Standard |
Key Differentiators
- Guaranteed 1.8V low-voltage operation (vs ATMEGA168-20MQ)
- Extended temperature screening in the same footprint (vs ATMEGA168V-10MI)
- Lower dynamic power at 10MHz cap (vs ATMEGA168A-MU)
Design Notes
The V grade guarantees operation down to 1.8V, but the maximum safe clock depends on VCC. Keep the system clock at or below the datasheet speed-versus-voltage curve - at 1.8V stay at or under 10MHz, and never clock above the curve or the CPU may mis-execute. Decouple both VCC pins (3-6 area) with 100nF ceramic capacitors placed within 2mm of the pads, and feed AVCC (pin 18) from VCC through an LC or RC low-pass filter (e.g., 10 ohm + 100nF) for clean ADC operation.
The 32-pad QFN/MLF package has an exposed die pad on the underside that must be soldered to a ground-plane paddle with an array of thermal vias. The GND pins (3, 5, 20) plus the paddle form the return path; a poor paddle connection causes intermittent resets and ADC noise. Use 4-6mil stencil apertures at 50-60% coverage for the paddle paste to avoid voids during reflow. Inspect with X-ray or by daisy-chain coupon during process qualification - MLF joints are hidden after assembly.
Three common mistakes: (1) Pins 1/2 and 31/32 carry duplicated PD3/PD4 signals - do not route them to different functions; tie them to the same net. (2) For debugWIRE debugging on PC6/RESET (pin 27), remove any reset capacitor, or the single-wire interface fails. (3) The V-grade tops out at 10MHz - do not fit a 16MHz crystal as done on standard 5V ATmega168 boards. If migrating firmware from an ATmega168-20 design, recheck the clock fuses and the speed/voltage derating table first.
Compliance Information
FindIC listing describes the part as 'Green' (Microchip's RoHS/green package designation). REACH and halogen-free status not stated in provided data.
